Local Government Role in Affordable Housing – Context AH objective in EP&A Act in 1999 (section 5(a)(viii)) AH levy per s94F & 94G (but limited by SEPP 70 to 2 LGAs) Strengthening of SEPP 10 in 2000 Social Plans, State of the Environment Reports, etc, under LGA 1993 ‘Social and economic impacts’ under section 79(C) (1) (b) of EP&A Act 1979

Mechanisms available to Council Use of planning instruments to create or retain AH (dwellings, land or $s) under s26 Mechanisms include: Planning Agreements under s93F of the EP&A Act 1979 Density Bonuses Inclusionary Zoning (only two LGAs under SEPP 70) Refusal of DAs or mitigation under s79C(1) Development and Management Partnerships

Planning Agreements: Formalised under section 93F of the EP&A Act 1979 Provide for negotiated developer contributions including for the purpose of AH Must be voluntary in form of an offer from developer Negotiated prior to or concurrent with DA Details may be worked out after consent Binding as a ‘condition of consent’ Operate in addition to normal provisions of s94 & 94A Affordable Housing Mechanisms (1)

Affordable Housing Mechanisms (2) Floor Space Ratio (FSR) or Density Bonuses: Targeted areas or precincts (e.g. near transport and services) Planning controls are varied to allow for higher densities provided a proportion of stock created is dedicated to AH Most effective in high land value/high demand areas Need to ensure transparency Ensure added density does not lead to overdevelopment or design compromises Some community resistance – perception of over development or design compromise

Inclusionary Zoning: Mandatory provisions requiring particular sites or forms of development within a certain area/zone to allocate % as AH Limited as operationalised through SEPP 70 (only applies to planning schemes in City of Sydney, Redfern Waterloo Authority and Willoughby) AH provided on-site or by way of monetary/land contribution Affordable Housing Mechanisms (3)

Affordable Housing Mechanisms (4) Application of S79C (1) (b) of EP&A Act 1979: 79C(1) In determining a development application, a consent authority is to take into consideration……………… (b) The likely impacts of that development, including…the social and economic impacts in the locality. Refusal if serious impacts may be appropriate Mitigation to remedy impacts where appropriate

Debt Financing Partnership Council identifies surplus land or $$ and makes contribution to a community housing provider Provider uses existing equity, own surplus and/or council contribution Provider obtains finance based on equity and income stream Title may be shared or held by either Council or the provider Units created may be used for mixed income group

Planning Partnership Partnership using Provisions of EP&A Act 1979: Developer seeks rezoning leading to major land appreciation Developer offers to enter into a Planning Agreement under s93F Offers AH contribution in exchange for concessions Council keeps title to AH created Housing managed by community housing Mixed Income group including low income workers Affordable Housing, Liverpool

Partnership on Surplus Land Council identifies surplus land and partners with developer Developer gives Council units to the value of land Council retains title to the units managed by community housing provider Units rented to working families at 75% of market rent No recurrent subsidy needed.

Partnership using Environmental Planning Instruments Council Housing Study identifies AH need and strategies Council puts AH objectives and mechanisms in LEP and DCPs Includes incentives for developers who provide AH as part of certain developments Units created managed directly by Council or community housing provider Rented to low to moderate income families Honeysuckle Development Corporation, Newcastle

Section 79C Example Retention of AH using EP&A Act: A DA involves loss of AH Council refuses DA under s79C(1)(b) of EP&A Act 1979 Developer appeals and case goes to Land & Env. Court: Court finds in Council’s favour – AH preserved OR Developer offers to create AH through Planning Agreement under s93F – managed by community housing provider OR Developer wins appeal and AH lost

Self Build Partnership Partnerships using Self-Build schemes: Council buys land and building materials, hires a building supervisor and recruits participants Families build houses, secure a mortgage using their ‘sweat equity’ as a deposit and then buy their homes from Council - e.g. Hume Shire Council Hume Shire Council – Group Self Build